The Summer Camp Society Blog
Ideas to Bring the Fun Indoors
Creative ideas for indoor activities at camp are shared, focusing on keeping campers entertained when outdoor options aren't available. From high-energy games to team-building exercises, the post emphasizes ways to maintain engagement and fun, despite space or weather challenges.
Life Skills: This Really is a Real Job
10 Easy Social Media Campaigns Camps Can Do This Summer
Practical ideas for summer camps to maintain a strong social media presence, from staff highlights to camper quotes, ensuring ongoing engagement during the busy season
Presenting, The Facilitator Elevator: Sharing and Growing in Community
Level up your facilitation skills with the Facilitator Elevator! This game-changing tool helps camp trainers engage their teams, deliver impactful sessions, and build confidence in even the toughest training environments. Elevate your camp staff training with ease and energy.
Smartphone Scrapbook: An Easy Icebreaker for Summer Camp Staff Training
Looking for a simple yet powerful way to kick off your camp staff training? This icebreaker activity gets your team energized, laughing, and connecting within minutes. It's perfect for breaking down barriers and building the trust you need to tackle the summer ahead
Transforming Our Communities
This blog explores the process of transforming camp communities by fostering inclusion, connection, and growth. It emphasizes the importance of creating safe spaces for campers and staff, building strong relationships, and promoting diversity. The post also discusses ways camp leaders can drive meaningful change within their camp environments by being intentional with their approaches to community building.
4 Ways to Include Anti-Racism in Your Summer Camp Staff Training
Supporting Seasonal Summer Camp Staff
Supporting seasonal summer camp staff requires intentional efforts in leadership, training, and community building. The blog offers practical tips for helping staff thrive, including creating strong support networks, providing mentorship, and ensuring mental health resources are accessible. Emphasis is placed on making staff feel valued, offering ongoing feedback, and fostering a positive camp environment.
The Three Ds: What Dog Training Has Taught Me about Being a Summer Camp Director
Camper Clubs
Camper Clubs provide a unique way to foster year-round engagement with campers by creating small groups that focus on shared interests. This blog outlines how camp leaders can implement these clubs to build deeper connections, facilitate skill development, and offer continuous opportunities for campers to stay involved in camp life outside the summer season.
Defaulting to Inclusive Language
This blog emphasizes the importance of using inclusive language in camp environments, explaining how thoughtful word choices can create a more welcoming space for everyone. It encourages camp leaders to adopt habits of inclusive communication, ensuring that all campers and staff feel seen, respected, and valued. The post offers practical tips for incorporating inclusivity into everyday conversations and camp policies.
ACA Tristate 2023: TSCS Recommendations
The recommendations aim to provide camp leaders with practical tools and insights for improving camp experiences, staff management, and camper well-being. Sessions are carefully selected to address current challenges in the camping world and inspire innovative solutions.
When Change Fails
The Power of Boredom
The blog post emphasizes the Power of Boredom, highlighting how boredom can spark creativity, self-discovery, and deeper connections among campers. It encourages camp leaders to allow unstructured time during camp to give campers the space to explore their interests, think independently, and engage more meaningfully with their peers and environment.
Diversity Training Part 2
This blog continues the conversation on diversity and inclusion in camp environments, offering actionable insights for camp leaders. It focuses on the importance of ongoing training, creating safe spaces, and addressing biases within camp culture. The post also provides tools and strategies for implementing effective diversity training, ensuring that camps are inclusive and supportive for everyone.
ACA National 2023: TSCS Recommendations
A curated list of key sessions from ACA National, focusing on mental health strategies, inclusivity, and camp culture.
Supervising Free Choice Time
Make Staff Training Easier: How Outside Trainers Make a Big Difference
Thinking about bringing in an outside trainer for your summer camp staff? Fresh eyes, new ideas, and a professional touch can elevate your team's skills and dynamics to the next level. Discover how an external expert can transform your camp culture and training outcomes
Dearest Fellow Straight White Dudes
This blog is a candid reflection aimed at straight white men working in the camp industry, encouraging them to engage in conversations about privilege, power, and inclusivity. The post urges readers to challenge themselves, listen actively, and support the work of marginalized groups, with the goal of creating a more equitable and inclusive camp culture
Cookie Jar Communities
This blog explores the concept of “cookie jar communities,” where camp leaders build trust, connection, and emotional safety among staff and campers. The metaphor highlights the importance of accumulating positive experiences and emotional deposits that foster a strong, resilient community. It emphasizes intentionality in building relationships and supporting one another through both challenges and celebrations.